The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-12-07

I fMduWIACIWTeT
mention made of the fact that the sheep owners
themselves and their households must wear
| clothing and use other articles manufactured
from the wool they sell at tariff prices and thus
as consumers must return their share OF TINS IN
| creased price to the tradesman.
| FEW COLD FACTS.
think it may be fairly assumed that large
proportion of the sheep owned by the farmers
| throughout the country are found in small
focks numbering from twenty-five to fifty. The
| duty on the grade of imported wool which
these sheep yield is lOc. each pound
lee If Of the value of more than 3Oc:
| Ii the liberal estimate of six pounds be allowed
for each fleece, the duty thereon would be sixty
| or seventy-two cents, and this may be taken as
the utmost enhancement Of the price to the far
mer by reason of this duty. Eighteen dollars
would thus represent the increased price OF the
| wool from twenty-five Sheep and S36 that from
the wool of fifty sheep; and at present values
| this addition would amount to about one-thlrd
of its price If upon its sale the farmer receives
| hands charged with precisely that sum
| which in all its changes will adhere
| to it until it. reaches the consumer.
| When manufactured into cloth and other
material for its cost is not only increased to
| the extent of the farmers tariff profit, but
| further sum has been added for the benefit OF
| the manufacturer under the operation OF other
\ tarif laws. In the meantime the day arrives
| when the farmer finds it necessary TO purchase
] wooden clothes, and material TO clothe himself
| and family for the winter When he races the
! is Obliged not only TO return in the way OF IN
creased prices. his tariff profit Oh the wool he
/ sold, and which then perhaps lies before nm IN
| manufactured form, but that he must add
| considerable sum there to meet a further III
crease in cost caused by a tariff duty on the
| manufacture. Thus in the end he is aroused to
| the fact that he has paid upon moderate pur-
| chase as q result of the tariff scheme which
when he sold his wool seemed so profitable an
| increase in price more than sufficient to sweep
| away all the tariff profit he received upon the
| wool he produced and sold. When the number
| of farmers engaged IN wool raising IS compared
with all the farmers in the country, and the
small proportion they bear to our population is
considered; when it is made apparent that in
the case of large part of those who own sheep
the benefit of the present tariff on wool is
illusory and above all, when it must be con
of living caused by such tariff
| becomes "a burden upon those with moderate
ployed the sick and well, and the young and
old, and that 1t constitutes tax which, with re-
lentless grasp, is fastened upon the clothing OF
every man, woman and child IN ia.i tne Iand'
Tnoval of this duty should be included in re-
vision of our tariff laws.
COMPETITIONS PART.
In speaking of the increased cost TO
the consumer of our home manufactures,
resulting from duty laid upon I'M
ported articles of the same description.
the fact is not overlooked that competition
among our domestic producers some
the price of their products below the highest
limit allowed by such duty. But it is notorious
that this competition is too strongly met by
combinations. quite prevalent at this time and
frequently called trusts, which have for their
objects the regulation of the supply and price
of commodities made and sold by members of
the combination. The people can hardly hope
for any consideration in the operation OF these
selfish schemes. IT, however, in the absence of
such combination healthy and free competi-
ton reouces the price of any particular dutiable
article of home production below the limit which
it might otherwise reach under our tariff laws
and il, with such reduced price, its manufacture
continues to thrive it is entirely evident that
thing has been discovered which should be
fully scrutiuized in an effort to reduce taxation
The necessity of combination to maintain the
price of a commodity TO the tariff point fur
niSheS proof that some one is willing to accept
lower prices for such commodity, and that the
prices are remunerative, and the lower prices
produced by competition prove the same thing
Thus where either of these conditions exist a
case would seem to be presented for an easy re-
ducton of taxation. The considerations which
have been presented touching our tariff laws
are intended only to enforce an earnest recon-
mendaton that the surplus revenues of the
government be prevented by the reduction
of our customs duties, and at the same time TO
emphasize a suggestion that in accomplishing
this purpose we may discharge double duty to
our people by granting to them measure of
relief from tariff taxation in quarters where it
is most needed. and from sources wherein it
can be most fairly and justly accorded, nor can
the representation made of such considerations
be with any degree of fairness regarded evil
dence of unfriendlineSS toward our manufac-
turers' interests, or of any lack of apprecia-
ton of their value and importance
These interests constitute a leading and most
substantial element of our national greatness
and furnish proud proof of our country's prog
ress. But if in the emergency that presses
upon us our manufacturers are asked to sur
render something for the public good and to
avert disaster their patriotism well as a
gratified recognition of the advantages already
afforded should lead them to willing co-opera-
tiOn-no demand is made that they shall forego
all the benefits of governmental regard; but
they cannot fail to be admonished of their duty
as well as their enlightened self-interest and
safety when they they are reminded of the fact
that the financial panic and collapse to which
the present condition tends affords no greater
shelter or protection to our manufactures than
to our other important enterprises.
GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY.
Opportunity for safe, careful and deliberate
action is now offered, and none Of us should be
unmindful of time when an abused and irri-
tated people, needless of those who have re-
sisted timely and reasonable relief, may insist
upon a radical and sweeping rectification of
their wrongs. The difficulty attending a wise
and fair revision of our laws is not underesti-
mated. 1t will require on the part of the Con-
gress great labor and care, and especially a
broad and national contemplation of the sub
ject, and patriotic disregard of such local and
selfish claims as are unreasonable and reckless
of the welfare of the entire country.
Under a our presen' laws more than
Many of these do not in any way compete with
our own manufactures, and many are hardly
worth attention as subject OF revenue A
considerable reduction can be made in the
aggregate by adding them to the free list. The
taxation of luXuries presents no features of
hardship; but the necessarieS of life used and
consumed by ali the people, the duty upon
which adds TO the cost of living in every home
should be greatly cheapened. The radical re-
| ducton of the duties upon raw material used in
| manufactures, or its free importation. is of
! course an important factor in any effort to
reduce the price of these necessares and
| would not only relieve them from the increased
cost caused by the tariff on such material but
| the manufactured product being thus cheap
| ened. that part of the tariff now laid upon such
| product as q compensation to our manufac-
| Jurers for the present price of raw material
/ could be accordingly modified. Such reductions
! or free importations, would serve beside to
| largely reduce the revenue. IL is not apparent
| how such change can have any injurious effect
| upon our manufactures. On the contrary, it
| would appear to give them better
/ chance In foreign markets with the manu-
! facturers Of other countries. who
! cheaper their wares by free mater al.
Thus our people might have the opportunity of
extending their sales beyond the limits of home
! consumption-sa saving them from the depression,
| interruption in business and loss caused by a
| glutted domestic market, and affordng their en-
poyes more certain and steady labor with its re-
| sulting quiet and contentment. The question
thus imperatively presented for solution should
| be approached In spirit higher than partisan
\ anxiety, and considered in the light of that re
! gerd for patriotic duty which should
.frs. anNs. Is